Summary
Tree pollen is slowly disappearing from the air this year. The dominant tree at many sites is now gum, while plantain, or ribwort is the dominant weed.
Cape Town
Low concentrations of tree pollen included the monkey puzzle tree (Araucariaceae), olive (Oleaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Several grains of monkey puzzle pollen had ruptured and were releasing large numbers of respirable starch granules. Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), English plantain (Plantaginaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg
Pollen concentrations were moderate at this site, as tree pollen slowly declines. Trees were birch (Betulus), false olive (Buddleia), white stinkwood (Celtis), cypress (Cupressaceae), persimmon (Ebenaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtacerae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), plane (Platanaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia).weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), mugwort (Artemisia), sedges (Cyperaceae) and the daisy family (Asteraceae). plantain (Plantaginaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were low.
Vanderbijlpark
A moderate concentration and a variety of trees were identified. These were monkey puzzle (Araucariaceae), birch (Betulus), lemon (Citrus), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), spruce (Picea) and pine (Pinaceae). Significant pollen concentrations were seen for gum. Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), bulrush (Typhacae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg South
Low pollen and mould concentrations were detected at this site, but a variety of trees were identified. These were monkey puzzle (Araucariaceae), birch (Betulus), lemon (Citrus), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), spruce (Picea) and pine (Pinaceae). Significant pollen concentrations were seen for gum. Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), bulrush (Typhacae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were low.
Pretoria
At this time of the year, pollen is low to moderate as the trees complete their flowering cycle. Tree pollen is typically olive (Oleaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), birch (Betulus), gum (Myrtcaeae), ash (Fraxinus), oak (Quercus), plane (Platanaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae) and jacaranda (Fabaceae). Weeds would be the daisy family (Asteraceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type) and ferns (Polypodiaceae) Moulds vary from low to moderate. 5-year means were calculated.
Bloemfontein
Tree pollen continues to decline but the moderate concentrations were still seen this week. Trees detected were false olive (buddleia), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), Olive (Oleaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), poplar (Populaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia), Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), lily (Liliaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), mint (Lamiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were insignificant.
Kimberley
The pollen concentrations were low at this site but increased after thunderstorms and slight rain. Trees included olive (Oleaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), willow (Salicaceae), pecan (Carya), cypress (Cupressaceae) and ash (Fraxinus). Weeds were plantain (Plantaginaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and protea (Proteaceae). Grasses were low but occasional moderate scores were seen and moulds were low.
Durban
Moulds were moderate to high. All pollen concentrations were low. Trees included birch (Betulus), cypress (Cupressaceae), olive (Oleacae) and pecan (Carya). Weeds were plantain (Plantaginaceae), sedges (Cyperacrae), protea (Proteaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae).
Gqeberha
Very low pollen concentrations were detected during a week of heavy rain and high wind speeds. Trees were pesimmon (Ebenaceae), waxberry (Morella) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), protea (Proteaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were low.
George
Only one day was recorded during this sampling period. Grasses are low, trees would include yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), karee (Searsia/Rhus, olive (Oleaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were plantain (Plantaginaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds were low. This report was based on this catch and pollen identified from the same time period in 2023.
Reference Range
Grass: Low: 0-5 Moderate: 6-20 High: 21-200
Trees: Low: 0-15 Moderate: 16-90 High: 91-1500
Weeds: Low: 0-10 Moderate: 10-50 High: 51-500
Moulds: Low: 0-900 Moderate: 900-2500 High 2500-25000
Unit: per cubic metre
